CN114382759B

CN114382759B - Durable shoe-shaped clamping fastener for vehicle decorative accessories

Info

Publication number: CN114382759B
Application number: CN202110468763.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: D.戈登; R.J.洛卡尔
Original assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Current assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Priority date: 2020-10-06
Filing date: 2021-04-28
Publication date: 2024-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2041-04-28
Also published as: US11772577B2; US20220105881A1; DE102021112028A1; CN114382759A

Abstract

A shoe clamp fastener for securing a component in a vehicle includes a stop member having a wall portion and a slot defined in the wall portion, and an insert element connected to the stop member. The insertion element includes a base member and a clamping member depending from the base member. The clamping member includes an actuator portion projecting upwardly from the slot.

Description

Durable shoe-shaped clamping fastener for vehicle decorative accessories

Technical Field

The subject disclosure relates to the field of fasteners, and more particularly, to a durable shoe-clip fastener (serviceable clip fastener) for vehicle trim accessories.

Background

Vehicles often include various trim pieces and panel covers secured to the surface to cover openings, fasteners, add aesthetics, and the like. The trim piece is secured to the attachment surface by, for example, a panel clip. The panel clip includes a head and a pin that support one or more barbs. When installed, the barb clamp holds the attachment surface, securing the trim piece in place. Other panel clips may be formed of, for example, spring steel. Such a clip can be placed on the post and inserted into the opening. The clip includes barbs that engage the attachment surface.

In general, removal of the panel clip requires manipulation of both sides of the attachment surface or the use of tools. Manipulating both sides of the attachment surface allows one to release the barb and remove the clip. The tool is used to pry up the cover or trim until the panel clip is released. In some cases, the tool may be used to engage and depress the barb. Unfortunately, the tool may sometimes damage the panel clip, damage the trim piece, or otherwise cause damage. Accordingly, it is desirable to release the panel clip without the use of tools or the need to operate both sides of the attachment surface.

Disclosure of Invention

In one exemplary embodiment, a shoe clamp fastener for securing a component in a vehicle includes a stop member having a wall portion and a slot defined in the wall portion, and an insert element connected to the stop member. The insertion element includes a base member and a clamping member depending from the base member. The clamping member includes an actuator portion projecting upwardly from the slot.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the insertion element is integrally formed with the stop member.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the stop member includes a first substantially planar surface and a second curved surface disposed opposite the first surface.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the clamping member includes a first portion extending from the base member, a second portion extending from the first portion toward the base member, and a third portion extending from the second portion away from the base member, the third portion defining an actuator portion.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the clamping member depends from the base member.

In another exemplary embodiment, a vehicle includes a chassis and a body supported by the chassis. The body includes a first panel having a band provided with an opening and a second panel receiving the band. The second panel is secured to the first panel by a shoe clamp fastener that includes a stop member and an insert element connected to the stop member, the stop member including a wall portion and a slot defined in the wall portion. The insert element extends through the band and includes a base member and a clamp member depending from the base member. The clamping member engages the band and includes an actuator portion projecting upwardly from the slot.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the first panel defines a door panel and the second panel defines a decorative trim component mounted to the door panel.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the strap ring includes a first side and an opposite second side through which the shoe clamp is insertable and removable without contacting the second side.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, a method of securing and releasing a first vehicle component relative to a second vehicle component includes inserting a strap loop disposed on the first vehicle component through a channel disposed in the second vehicle component, guiding a shoe clamp fastener through an opening in the strap loop, and engaging a clamp member on the shoe clamp fastener with the strap loop to secure the second vehicle component to the first vehicle component.

In addition to one or more features described herein, directing the shoe clamp fastener through the opening includes passing the shoe clamp fastener through the opening from the first side of the strap loop.

In addition to one or more features described herein, the shoe clamp fastener is released from a first side of the strap loop without operating an opposite second side of the strap loop.

In addition to one or more features described herein, releasing the shoe-like clamping fastener includes deflecting the clamping member away from the strap loop.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle including a durable shoe-like clamp fastener according to one exemplary aspect;

FIG. 2 illustrates an interior view of a vehicle door showing a durable shoe-like clip securing a decorative trim component to a door panel in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts a shoe clamp fastener according to one exemplary aspect;

FIG. 4 depicts a trim piece receiving a band on a panel in accordance with an exemplary aspect;

FIG. 5 depicts a band extending through an opening in a trim piece in accordance with an illustrative aspect;

FIG. 6 illustrates a shoe clamp installed in a strap ring according to one exemplary aspect;

FIG. 7 depicts a cross-sectional side view of the shoe clamp of FIG. 6 moved into a band along line 7-7, in accordance with an exemplary aspect;

FIG. 8 depicts a cross-sectional side view of the shoe clamp of FIG. 7 positioned in a strap loop, in accordance with an exemplary aspect;

FIG. 9 depicts a cross-sectional side view of the shoe clamp of FIG. 2 taken along line 9-9 engaged with a band in accordance with an exemplary aspect; and

FIG. 10 depicts a cross-sectional side view of the shoe clamp element of FIG. 9 removed from the strap ring, in accordance with an exemplary aspect.

Detailed Description

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is generally indicated at 10 in fig. 1 and 2. The vehicle 10 includes a chassis 12 supporting a body 14 having a passenger compartment 16. The chassis 12 also supports a pair of front wheels 18 and a pair of rear wheels 20. As will be described in detail herein, the body 14 includes a first panel 40 and a second panel 42. The first panel 40 may take the form of a door panel 46 and the second panel 42 may take the form of a decorative trim component 50. As will be described in greater detail herein, the decorative trim component 50 is secured to the door panel 46 by a durable shoe-like clamp fastener 60

As shown in fig. 3, the durable shoe clamp fastener 60 includes a stop member 64 that limits the depth of insertion and an insert element 66 that is secured to, for example, the first panel 40. The stop member 64 includes a wall portion 69 having a first surface 71 and an opposite second surface 73. The first surface 71 is substantially planar and the second surface 73 is curved. The second surface 73 is shaped to receive, for example, a fingertip (fig. 8) that can be used to mount the durable shoe-like grip 60. A slot 78 extends through the first and second surfaces 71 and 73. A slot 78 is centrally located in the wall portion 69 and includes exposed ends (not separately labeled).

The insertion element 66 includes a base member 90 for supporting a flexible gripping member 94. In one embodiment, the clamp member 94 depends from the base member 90 and includes a first portion 98 extending from the base member 90, a second portion 100 extending from the first portion 98, and a third portion 102 extending from the second portion 100 and defining an actuator portion 104 (which protrudes upwardly from the slot 78). The first portion 98 extends from the base member 90 at a first angle to the wall portion 69. The second portion 100 extends downwardly from the first portion 98 and the third portion 102 extends upwardly from the second portion 100. A recess or depression 107 is defined at the juncture of the second portion 100 and the third portion 102. As will be described in detail herein, the recess 107 selectively engages the first panel 40 to secure the second panel 42.

Referring to fig. 4, the first panel 40 includes a ring-shaped protrusion 110, the protrusion 110 having an outer wall 114 defining an opening 117. The outer wall 114 includes a first side 119 and an underlying second side 121. The second panel 42 includes a channel 123 that receives the strap 110. In one exemplary aspect, the second panel 42 is positioned on the first panel 40 such that the strap loop 110 passes through the channel 123 with the first side 119 exposed and operable, as shown in fig. 5. At this point, as shown in fig. 6-8, the durable shoe-shaped gripping fastener 60 is advanced into opening 117 by pushing curved surface 73, for example, with a finger. When the durable shoe clamp fastener 60 enters the opening 117, the clamp member 94 deflects. When fully in place, the outer wall 114 is seated in the recess 107, and the actuator portion 104 (fig. 8) is operable from a first side 119 of the band 110, as shown in fig. 9. At this time, the second panel 42 is fixed to the first panel 40.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the durable shoe clamp fastener 60 may be easily removed without requiring manipulation of the second opposite side 121 of the strap loop 110. As shown in fig. 10, the durable shoe clamp fastener 60 may be removed from the strap loop 110 by pressing the actuator portion 104 of the clamp member 94. The clamping member 94 may be deflected such that the outer wall 114 passes over the recess 107. In this regard, the durable shoe clamp fastener 60 may be easily removed without the need for tools or further disassembly of the first panel 40 or other vehicle components.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.

While the foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A shoe clamp fastener for securing a component in a vehicle, the shoe clamp fastener comprising:

a stop member comprising a wall portion having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a slot formed in the wall portion; and

an insert element connected to the stop member, the insert element comprising a base member extending perpendicularly outwardly from the first surface base of the wall portion and a clamp member depending from the base member, the clamp member comprising an actuator portion projecting upwardly from the slot;

wherein the insert element is integrally formed with the stop member;

wherein the clamping member includes a first portion extending from the base member, a second portion extending from the first portion toward the base member, and a third portion extending from the second portion away from the base member, the third portion defining the actuator portion.

2. The shoe clamp fastener of claim 1 wherein the stop member includes a first substantially planar surface and a second curved surface disposed opposite the first substantially planar surface.

3. A vehicle, comprising:

a chassis;

a body supported by the chassis, the body including a first panel having a strap ring and a second panel for receiving the strap ring, the strap ring being provided with an opening, the second panel being secured to the first panel by a shoe clamp fastener, the shoe clamp fastener comprising:

an insert element connected to the stop member, the insert element extending through the band and including a base member extending perpendicularly outwardly from the first surface base of the wall portion and a clamp member depending from the base member, the clamp member engaging the band and including an actuator portion projecting upwardly from the slot;

wherein the insert element is integrally formed with the stop member;

4. A method of securing and releasing a first vehicle component relative to a second vehicle component, comprising:

inserting a band disposed on a first vehicle component through a channel disposed in a second vehicle component;

directing a shoe clamp fastener through an opening in a strap loop, the shoe clamp fastener being the shoe clamp fastener of any one of claims 1-2; and

the clamp member on the shoe clamp fastener is engaged with the strap loop to secure the second vehicle component to the first vehicle component.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein guiding a shoe clamp fastener through the opening comprises passing the shoe clamp fastener through the opening from a first side of the strap loop.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising releasing the shoe clamp fastener from a first side of the strap loop without operating an opposite second side of the strap loop.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein releasing the shoe clamp fastener includes deflecting the clamp member away from the strap loop.